Business Communication

This first course in Effective Business Communication focuses on developing effective writing, speaking and presentation skills. This will be examined and practiced especially in memoranda, letters, reports, in class presentations etc.; and, an opportunity will be provided for each delegate to address their current style of communication and understand the level of effectiveness they are currently using.

This course focuses on introducing English words, history, and usage principles, explaining the use of idioms and slang and supporting building a strong vocabulary.  It will explain words and their function, discuss constructing sentences as well as matters of personal styles.  Participants will realize that the use of incorrect grammar (“green” verbs, malapropisms, etc.) create negative impressions.  Company managers, executives, officers, and supervisors whose duties include internal and external written communication should be interested in this course.  It is specifically helpful to business people who wish to enhance their skills in writing letters, memos and reports. At the end of this programme participants will:
•    Improve skills with writing clear, concise letters, memos and reports
•    Learn techniques for emphasising a message in written communication
•    Work towards developing individual business writing styles
•    Understand factors which affect report format, style and organisation

This course is designed for the individual who is new to the responsibility of writing in areas that include corporate communications, marketing and public relations.  It will also interest persons seeking the understanding of concise yet effective writing in areas in Corporate Communications. It would interest Managers, Supervisors, Public Relations Officers, Corporate Communications Officers and Executive Assistants.

A strong and favorable corporate reputation distinguishes a company in an increasingly competitive environment, strengthens the view of the company’s image and results in consistency in customer demand. This workshop is designed to assist participants in honing the skills and using the tools and techniques required to acquire leadership in communications. It will also equip participants with the competency to develop communication strategies and activities.

At the conclusion of the course, a participant would be able to:

• Competently develop internal and external communications;
• Effectively present techniques to implement strategies designed to achieve overall objectives; and
• Plan and manage communications and public relations activities confidently and competently.

In a crisis, events unfold unexpectedly and management is at times pressured to provide answers to questions for which immediate answers are not forthcoming. It is also not unusual for rumor, speculation and innuendo to compound an already challenging situation, particularly in the early stages when accurate information is somewhat lacking. The resulting stance taken is one of shutting out the media only to have them publish information that may not be reflective of the facts and thus cast a negative light on the company’s image or reputation.
This course is designed to lay a base for effective management and communication during a crisis highlighting the importance of monitoring issues that can have a potentially damaging impact on an organization.

At the conclusion of the course, a participant should be able to:

• Develop an awareness and preparedness for the imminent nature of a crisis;
• Identify emerging issues and potential risk situations that can affect the organization’s reputation;
• Improve his competence in effectively managing crisis, particularly in managing communications surrounding the issue and minimizing operational disruptions;
• Comprehend, control and efficiently restore damaged reputations and rebuild confidence in the organization and its leadership among internal and external publics;
• Develop proactive public relations strategies to reduce adverse ‘public’ or stakeholder reaction to the organization;
• Win or maintain employee, media, and community support for organizational activities or positions on issues;

On completion of this course, students will be able to function in a variety of real life travel and business scenarios/ situations. They will be able to listen to and understand an educated native speaker, and give appropriate oral responses and read and understand relevant written texts [forms, menus, signs etc.].

This course consists of eight modules of three hours each. The programme aims at equipping the participant with the competence to express himself orally in a range of interacting scenarios in soliciting and transacting of business with a Spanish-speaking colleague

This programme aims at enabling the participant to understand a variety of texts written in Spanish relating to communication within the world of business. The participant will also be provided with the necessary knowledge and skills to communicate in writing in a variety of fundamental business situations.